HARD HITTING VIEW

It’s now seven days since it ended.

But there is bound to be a thorough dissection of Scotland’s Rugby World Cup campaign for weeks to come.

The curtains came down after a sound defeat at the hands of the host nation. The match, however, was surrounded by controversy – which had nothing to do with rugby.

The threat of postponement as a result of Typhoon Hagibis caused Mark Dodson, the SRU’s CEO, to threaten legal action against World Rugby if the game wasn’t played.

World Rugby’s disciplinary committee is now looking into Dodson’s remarks to see whether he has brought the game into disrepute.

Whatever the circumstances – and Dodson and the SRU have some justification for their stance around the contingency plans for the match – Scottish rugby’s reputation on the global stage is now at an all-time low.

Few outside of this country have much respect for our game right now.

At rugby dinners, Scotland have become the laughing stock of the international community.

The very public outbursts around the game last weekend have only served to reinforce this lack of respect.

The chatter on social media against Scotland was deafening, even from countries that have traditionally been strong supporters and allies of ours.

‘ Our rugby’s reputation on the global stage is now at an all-time low

Few tears were shed outside Scotland when Japan won, given the unnecessarily aggressive and confrontational stance taken by Dodson and company.

Many, too, were calling for Gregor Townsend’s head on a plate following the loss to the Brave Blossoms.

Make no mistake, Japan thoroughly deserved their victory against a spirited Scottish side, who fought back well.

Yet the campaign was not defined by the loss to Japan, more the loss to Ireland when they simply didn’t turn up.

That was harder to forgive than defeat to the hosts, who played some exhilarating rugby.

Townsend stated after the game that he would continue to coach Scotland to the end of his contract term. He has, however, to take some of the responsibility for the shortcomings.

His squad selection was flawed with players finding their way into the 31 who simply didn’t deliver.

Perhaps they were selected on reputation rather than form?

The disappointing form against Ireland was nothing new. Scotland had been woeful in Nice against the French in the summer, but the squad – in its widest sense – simply didn’t learn.

It is the loss of respect that hurts the most, however. For any Scottish rugby fan, you hope for respect from both opponents and the wider rugby world.

That has to be earned, both on and off the field. So, clearly, there is an awful lot of re-building to do.